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Panax trifolius

dwarf ginseng

Araliaceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Panax trifolius is a small spring-flowering perennial in the ginseng family (Araliaceae), standing 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall. A single slender stem bears a whorl of three compound leaves at its summit, each leaf divided into 3-5 stalkless, finely toothed leaflets 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long. A single rounded umbel of 10-25 small flowers rises on a stalk above the leaf whorl; the flowers are white to pale pink and about 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) across. Plants are often functionally male or bisexual, and the sex can shift between years with the size of the underground tuber. The fruit is a cluster of yellow, three-angled berries about 0.2 inch (4-5 mm) wide. It grows from a deep, round tuber that gives rise to the alternate common name groundnut. P. trifolius is a spring ephemeral, emerging in early spring, flowering, and dying back to the tuber by early to midsummer. It is smaller in all parts than American ginseng, P. quinquefolius, and lacks that species harvested medicinal root.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, Panax trifolius ranges from Nova Scotia and Ontario south to Georgia and west to Minnesota and Iowa. It grows in moist deciduous woods, floodplains, and rich wooded slopes.

Suggested Uses

Used in woodland and native plant gardens, shaded wildflower borders, and naturalized plantings under deciduous trees. Its early dormancy pairs it with ferns and later perennials that fill the gap it leaves. It suits collections of native spring ephemerals.

How to Identify

Look for a low plant 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall with a single whorl of three compound leaves, each with 3-5 toothed leaflets. A solitary rounded umbel of tiny white to pale-pink flowers sits on a stalk above the leaves. The leaflets are stalkless, separating it from American ginseng, P. quinquefolius, whose larger leaflets have distinct stalks. Yellow berries and a deep round tuber confirm the identification.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 8"

Width/Spread4" - 6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Flowers open in early to mid spring, generally April to May. The umbel lasts about 2-3 weeks. Small bees and flies pollinate the flowers, and yellow berries ripen by early summer as the foliage fades.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full shade in consistently moist, humus-rich, well-drained woodland soil with an acidic to neutral pH around 5.0-6.5. Spring soil moisture is needed during active growth, after which summer dormancy is normal. The deep tuber makes established plants difficult to move, and transplanting is rarely successful. Propagation is from fresh seed, which needs about 18 months and two cold periods to germinate. A cover of leaf litter maintains the cool, organic rooting zone the plant occupies. It is slow to establish and persists where left undisturbed.

Pruning

No pruning is needed. The foliage is left in place until it yellows and dies back naturally in early summer. Spent flower stalks may be removed, though leaving them allows berries to ripen and self-sow.